One of these men sped across the bridge and took his stand at the further end, while the other two posted themselves in their path at the entrance to it.
The Mungana slacked his speed and said one word--"Finished!" and Jeekie also hesitated, then turned and pointed behind them.
Alan looked back and flitting in and out between the cedar trees, saw the white robes of the priests of Bonsa.

Then despair seized them all, and they rushed at the bridge.

Jeekie reached it first and dodging beneath the spears of the two guards, plunged his knife into the breast of one of them, and butted the other with his great head, so that he fell over the side of the bridge on to the rocks below.
"Cut, Major, cut!" he said to Alan, who pushed past him.

"All right now." They were on the narrow swaying bridge--it was but a single plank--Alan first, then the Mungana, then Jeekie.

When they were half way across Alan looked before him and saw a sight he could never forget.
The third guard at the further side was sawing through one of the fibre ropes with his spear.